Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1887-01-08

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While He Detained the Settlers
Generally,
And Attended to This Special Case.
Another of our settlers is having an
experience Of the advantages to be en-
joyed under Democratic management Of
'our public lands. A. B. Baker has a
homestead and timber claim near
Banner, in this county. and has resided
on the same for more than two years.
Now he receives notification from the
land Office that both are held for cancel
iation upon report of Special Agent E. l..
Thomas.
The report alleges: LIST. That there are
on the homestead only acres under cul-
tivation, and a total improvement of 500
value. End That Mr.. B. never actually
resided there, but in Louisville, Ky. Bird.
That this entry was made for the benefit
another person.
The report on the timber claim
alleges: LIST. That, on personal exam
ination, Thomas found 10 acres Of
breaking, but no evidence of cul-
tivation. End. That this entry was
made for the benefit of the same person
as the homestead
Knowing Mr.. Baker as stock man, all
all OF whose interests are identified with
his :and, we have taken occasion to look
up the case. We find on reliable author
ity that the charges made are false in
every particular. There are on the home
stead about IL acres under cultivation,
with other improvements to the value of
$3.50. In proof that his actual residence
has been on the land, we have the testi-
mony of dozen of the Oldest and best
settlers in that vicinity, who know that
for months at time he has scarcely set
foot of the land, and has been absent
from it but twice, then only from neces-
sity. As to his home being in Louisville,
5 KY, he never but once was in that city,
and then only while arranging geologi-
cal cabinet for the exposition, leaving
there the very day that work was done.
The timber claim is a case equally
clear. FIVE acres of old breaking was
rebroken the first year. The second year
an additional five acres was broken, and
when the weeds on the first five acres had
made good growth, but not yet seeded,
that was replowed, or summer fallowed."
Our farmers will, we think, agree that
this land was properly prepared for the
planting of timber.
AS to the charge that the entries were
made for the benefit Of another person,
j We have the sworn statement of both
parties concerned that it is utterly false.
Besides, the fact that Mr.. Baker brought
in so head of cattle, and, having taken
this land, has used it for range during
the whole time since the entries we're
made, is, in itself, sufficient to refute the
charge
Now, how is it that charges so utterly
groundless are made? How did they
originate? This, briefly, is the history of
the case as far as it can be learned
During Mr.. Bakers absence in Louis
vile, KY, Thomas one day appeared at
Banner P. O., and tarried there long
enough to fortify himself by couple of
applications of flask which he carried
to fit himself for taking evidence. This
was accompanied by an attack on our
prohibition laws and TRADE against the
settlers of western Kansas as lazy,
shiftless lot-'a set of id swindlers, y
who tried to make no improvement.
There would be, he said, in few months,
more vacant claims than there had been
for long time. Then be sought out two
men who had personal grudges against
Mr. Baker, and bringing them together,
he proceeded to take their evidence.
Without taking the trouble himself to
examine the improvements on the land,
when not 80 rods from it, or to see what
evidence the postmaster or any any other
near neighbors could give in the case, he
returned to Wa-Keeney.
Mr.. Bakers first warning was notifi-
cation to apply within 60 days for a
hearing. This notification lay for nearly
three weeks at Collyer, which had never
beenshis post-ofice, and, but for a for
tunate accident, it would never have
reached him, and his land would have
been lost.
Now is this not nice state of affairs to
exist under this most boasted practical
business administration? Here is
special, confidential agent of the q. s.
government who can not travel without
his bottle; who to ascertain whether
settler has complied with the law, makes